Bin panel construction



April 2, 1968 w. H. OLIVER 3,375,631

BIN PANEL CONSTRUCTION Filed May 31, 1966 2 Sheets$heet 1 X5 2/ m /o MF1 2/ ,za/ m zs 2 2 24 6 H 6 ii u 34 7 Z 23 25 I 31 E if 1Q 23 I pINVENTOR. WAYNE H Ouvsn AT TOPNEYS April 6 w. H. OLIVER 3,375,631

BIN PANEL CONSTRUCTION Filed May 31, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet Z 0 Z3 /5 20 iir f 1:? iii VzAY/VEH OLIVER 352 353 5k ATTORNEYS United States Patent3,375,631 BIN PANEL CONSTRUCTION Wayne H. Oliver, 1305 Spring ValleyRoad, Minneapolis, Minn. 55422 Filed May 31, 1966, Ser. No. 553,821 10Claims. (Cl. 52-584) This invention relates generally to theconstruction of detachable panels for use .in the construction ofrectangular enclosures, and more specifically relates to improvements inmounting frames for such panels.

The present invention is an improvement over the bin panel constructiondisclosed in my previous patent application, Ser. No. 334,288, filedDec. 30, 1963, now Patent No. 3,279,140. That invention provided a novelmetal construction panel having secured to the edges thereof a mountingframe that was adapted to cooperate with similar mounting frames onother panels to quickly and accurately construct rectangular enclosuresof varying size. The metal walls of the bin panels of my earlierinvention were quite thin and the angle iron frames were welded to themetal panel. Although my prior invention was not limited to the use ofmetal panels or V-shaped frame members, the construction shown therecannot be readily utilized with thicker wood panels.

In some construction situations, it is desirable to utilize a relativelythick sheet or panel to improve rigidity. The thin sheet metal panelstend to flex or warp much more easily than do the thicker wood panels.Since the frame construction disclosed in my earlier patent applicationdoes not lend itself to easy application in such situations, I havefound it desirable to devise a new and improved bin panel frameconstruction for use in situations employing a thicker sheetconstruction. The new frame construction disclosed herein is also muchstronger than that disclosed in my previous application since moresurface area of the frame is in contact with the panel.

It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide animproved frame construction for relatively thick imperforate bin panels.

Other objects of my invention will become apparent from the followingspecification and claims when considered in connection with theaccompanying drawings in which like characters indicate like partsthroughout the several views;

FIG. 1 is a view in top plan of a multiple bin-type construction formedin accordance with my invention, some parts thereof broken away;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary view in side elevation of the structure of FIG.1, some parts being broken away; FIG. 3 is a; view in side elevation ofone of the bin panels utilizedin formation of the structure of FIG. 1,some parts being broken away, and some parts being shown in section;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal sectional detail of thecentral panel connection of FIG. 1 illustrating the structure used toconnect four converging panels;

FIG. 5 is a view in vertical section as seen from line 5-5 of FIG. 1, onan enlarged scale, portions thereof being broken away;

FIG. 6 is a view in horizontal section as seen from line 6-6 of FIG. 2onan enlarged scale; and

FIG. 7 is a view in horizontal section as seen from line 7-7 of FIG. 2,on an enlarged scale.

Referring with greater particularity to the drawings, the numeral 10indicates a rectangular, relatively thick wood panel. Panel 10 has a topedge 11, a bottom edge 12, and a pair of side edges 13 and 14. Extendingabout the entire marginal edge of panel 10 is a metallic frame 15. Frame15 covers the entire peripheral or marginal edge of panel 10 as shownbest in FIG. 3.

Frame 15 includes a top frame member 16 and a pair 3,375,631 PatentedApr. 2., 1968 of side frame members 17 and 18. Top frame member 16 andside frame members 17 and 18 are constructed in the same manner so theycan be described together. Frame members 16, 17, and 18 each comprise apair of identical frame sections numbered 16a and 16b, 17a and 17b, and18a and 18b.

A sectional view of frame sections 16a and 16b is shown in FIG. 5. Framesections 16a and 16b are identical and are mounted on opposite sides ofpanel or sheet 10 so that frame member 16 is symmetrical with respect tothe plane of sheet 10. Frame sections 16a and 16b are connected to topedge 11 of sheet 10 by means of a plurality of bolts 20 extendingtherethrough. It is again noted that side frame members 17 and 18constructed in a manner identical to that described for top frame member16.

Each of the frame sections 16a, 16b, 17a, 17b, 18a, and 18b areconstructed as follows. Each of the frame sections have a first fiatportion 21 lying adjacent the side of sheet 10 and through which bolts20 extend. Extending from the inner edge of first flat portion 21 is asecond fiat portion 22 that extends outwardly from the sheetperpendicular to first portion 21. A third fiat portion 23 convergesinwardly from the outer edge of second portion 22 at approximately a 45degree angle with respect to a plane extending through second portion 22and outwardly therefrom.

A bottom frame member 25 includes a pair of identical bottom sections25a and 25b that are mounted on the opposite sides of the sheet 10 sothat bottom member 25 is symmetrical with respect to the plane of sheet10. Each of bottom sections 25a and 2519 have a first flat portion 26lying adjacent the side of sheet 10 and a second flat portion 27diverging outwardly from sheet 10 at approximately a 45-degree anglewith respect to a plane extending through sheet 10 and outwardly fromthe bottom edge thereof. A plurality of bolts such as 28, extend throughbottom edge 12 of sheet 10 and also through holes in flat portion 26 ofbottom frame sections 25a and 25b.

In FIG. 4, the method of connecting four converging panels is shown.Each sheet 10 is at right angles to the adjacent sheet with the sideedges of the sheets abutting each other. Since each of the side framemembers is symmetrical with respect to the plane of the sheet, thirdflat portions 23 of the adjoining frame sections thereby lie closelyadjacent each other so that they can be fastened together by means suchas a bolt 30. A plane extending between the adjoining third fiatportions 23 would bisect the angle formed by adjoining sheets 10. Aplurality of bolts such as 30 would be used to secure each adjoiningpair of sheets together, as shown by the plurality of associated holes30a in FIG. 3. I

FIG. 6 discloses apparatus for connecting together two panels at rightangles to each other. The connection between the inner frame sections isthe same as that shown in FIG. 4 so need not be further described here.The pair of frame sections that extend outwardly from the enclosure,however, are connected by a flat metal strip 32 by means of a pluralityof bolts such as 33 and 34.'Strip 32 has a plurality of holes along eachedge thereof that correspond to holes 30a in the side frame sections. Aside view of supporting strips or corner strips 32 is shown in FIG. 2. a

FIG. 7 discloses apparatus for connecting together three convergingsheets 10, two of which lie in the same plane and the third of which isperpendicular to the other. The sheets that are mounted at right'angleswith respect to each other are joined together as previously describedby means of bolts 30. The two sheets 10 that are coplanar, however, donot have adjoining frame sections. To provide support for thesenonadjacent frame sections a support strip 35 is utilized. The edges 35aand 35b of strip 35 are formed at approximately a -45-degree angle withrespect to the plane of sheet 35. Edges 35a and 35b thus can be alignedwith the nonadjoining pair of third flat portions as shown in FIG. 7.Again, support strip 35 has a plurality of holes formed in the edgesthereof corresponding to holes a in the side frame sections so thatstrip can be bolted thereto by means of bolts 30.

Sheets 10 can also be mounted in an overlying relationship as shown inFIG. 5 to increase the height of the enclosures formed by the panels. Asshown in FIG. 5, bottom frame member 25 fits directly over top framemember 16. The outer edges of frame sections 25a and 25b lie directlyabout and in line with the third flat portions of frame sections 16a and16b. Thus, the adjoining frame sections can again be bolted together asshown.

It is evident from my disclosure that a wide variety of enclosures canbe constructed utilizing my invention. The bin panels of my inventioncan be attached together in a wide variety of ways so that bins ofvarious sizes can be built. Such enclosures can be built quickly andaccurately with a minimum of labor and instruction. Further, becauseeach panel has a fixed construction, it is impossible to construct anenclosure that is not aligned properly. While I have disclosed apreferred embodiment herein, my invention should be measured by thescope and spirit of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A bin panel, comprising:

(a) a rectangular relatively thick wood sneet having first and secondsides and having a top edge, a bottorn edge, and a pair of side edgesconnecting said top and bottom edges; and

(b) a mitered frame attached to the entire edge of said sheetcomprising:

(1) a top frame member and a pair of side frame members, each of saidframe members comprising a pair of identical frame sections, said framesections being mounted on said first and second sides of said sheet sothat each of said frame members is symmetrical with respect to the planeof said sheet, said frame sections each having a first flat portionlying adjacent the side of said sheet and being attached thereto, asecond fiat portion extending outwardly from said sheet perpendicular tosaid first portion, and a third fiat portion converging inwardly fromthe outer edge of said second portion at approximately a degree anglewith respect to a plane of said second portion extending outwardlytherefrom; and

(2) a bottom frame member comprising a pair of identical bottom sectionsmounted on said first and second sides of said sheet so that said bottommember is symmetrical with respect to the plane of said sheet, saidbottom sections each having a first fiat portion lying adjacent the sideof said sheet and being attached thereto, and a second flat portionv.diverging outwardly from said sheet at approximately at 45 degreeangle with respect to a plane of said sheet extending outwardly fromsaid bottom edge.

2. Abin panel, comprising:

(a) a rectangular imperforate relatively thick sheet having first andsecond sides and having a top edge, a bottom edge, and a pair of sideedges connecting said top and bottom edges; and

(b) a mitered frame attached to the entire edge of said sheet,comprising:

(1) a top frame member and a pair of side frame members, each of saidframe members comprising a pair of identical frame sections, said framesections being mounted on said first and second sides of said sheet sothat each of said frame members is symmetrical with respect to the planeof said sheet, said frame sections each having a first flat portionlying adjacent the side of said sheet and being attached thereto, asecond flat portion extending outwardly from said sheet perpendicular tosaid first portion, and a third flat portion converging inwardly fromthe outer edge of said second portion at a predetermined angle withrespect to a plane extending outwardly from said second portion;

(2) a bottom frame member comprising a pair of identical bottom sectionsmounted on said first and second sides of said sheet so that said bottommember is symmetrical with respect to the plane of said sheet, saidbottom sections each having a first fiat portion lying adjacent the sideof said sheet and being attached thereto, and a second fiat portiondiverging outwardly from said sheet at said predetermined angle withrespect to a plane extending outwardly from said bottom edge.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said sheet is a wood panel.

4. The apparatus of claim2 wherein said frame sec" tions and said bottomsections are attached to the edge of said sheet by means of boltsextending through the sheet and through the sections on each sidethereof.

5. Apparatus of claim 2 combined with a second bin panel of the sameconstruction to form two sides of an enclosure, a side edge of each ofsaid panelsbeing mounted adjacent and at right angles to the other, saidthird fiat portions of the adjoining inner frame sections on said panelsthereby lying adjacent each other, means for fastening together saidadjoining third flat portions, and means for fastening togther the otherpair of third flat portions that extend outwardly from the enclosure.

6. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said predetermined angle is an acuteangle.

7. A bin panel, comprising:

(a) a rectangular imperforate relatively thick sheet having first andsecond sides and having -a top edge, a bottom edge, and a pair of sideedges connecting said top and bottom edges; and

(b) a frame attached to the entire edge of said sheet,

comprising:

(1) a pair of side frame members, each of said side frame memberscomprising a pair of identical side frame sections, said side framesections being mounted on said first and second sides of said sheet sothat each of said side frame members is symmetrical with respect to theplane of said sheet, said side frame sections each having a first fiatportion lying adjacent the side of said sheet and being attachedthereto, a second flat portion extending outwardly from said sheetperpendicular to said first portion, and a third fiat portion converginginw-ardly from the outer edge of said second portion at a predeterminedangle with respect to a plane extending outwardly from said secondportion;

(2) a bottom frame member comprising a pair of identical bottom sectionsmounted on said first and second sides of said sheet so that said bottomframe member is symmetrical with respect to the plane of said sheet,said bottom sections each having a first fiat portion lying adjacent theside of said sheet and being attached thereto, and a second portiondiverging outwardly and downwardly therefrom; and

(3) a top framemember comprising a pair of identical top sectionsmounted on said first and second sides of said sheet so that said topframe member is symmetrical with respect to the plane of said sheet,said top sections eachhaving a first flat portion lying adjacent theside of said sheet and being attached thereto, a second flat portionextending outwardly from said sheet perpendicular to said first portion,and a third portion converging inwardly and downwardly from the outeredge of said second portion.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said third portion of each of saidtop sections lies in a plane that is parallel to a plane extendingthrough the second portion of the bottom section that is mounted on thesame side of said sheet.

9. In a bin panel including a rectangular, imperforate, relatively thicksheet, the improvement comprising a frame member having a pair ofidentical frame sections, said frame sections being mounted on oppositesides of said sheet along an edge thereof so that said frame memher issymmetrical with respect to the plane of said sheet, said frame sectionseach having a first fiat portion lying adjacent the side of said sheetand being attached thereto, a second flat portion extending outwardlyfrom an inner edge of said first portion perpendicular to said firstportion, and a third flat portion converging toward the center of saidsheet from the outer edge of said second portion at a predeterminedangle with respect to a plane extending outwardly from said secondportion.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said predetermined angle is anacute angle.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,279,140 10/ 1966 Oliver 52-5843,333,376 8/1967 Marsters 52582 X DAVID J. WILLIAMOWSKY, PrimaryExaminer.

J. K. BEDL, Assistant Examiner.

9. IN A BIN PANEL INCLUDING A RECTANGULAR, IMPERFORATE, RELATIVELY THICKSHEET, THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING A FRAME MEMBER HAVING A PAIR OFIDENTICAL FRAME SECTIONS, SAID FRAME SECTIONS BEING MOUNTED ON OPPOSITESIDES OF SAID SHEET ALONG AN EDGE THEREOF SO THAT SAID FRAME MEMBER ISSYMMETRICAL WITH RESPECT TO THE PLANE OF SAID SHEET, SAID FRAME SECTIONSEACH HAVING A FIRST FLAT PORTION LYING ADJACENT THE SIDE OF SAID SHEETAND BEING ATTACHED THERETO, A SECOND FLAT PORTION EXTENDING OUTWARDLYFROM AN INNER EDGE OF SAID FIRST PORTION PERPENDICULAR TO SAID FIRSTPORTION, AND A THIRD FLAT PORTION CONVERGING TOWARD THE CENTER OF SAIDSHEET FROM THE OUTER EDGE OF SAID SECOND PORTION AT A PREDETERMINEDANGLE WITH RESPECT TO A PLANE EXTENDING OUTWARDLY FROM SAID SECONDPORTION.